Northern farmers pleased, but wary of future

Tuesday, October 31, 2006 |
by Staff Writer

Despite the harsh criticism against the management and the results of the war in Lebanon, some farmers in the north of Israel have expressed their satisfaction with the new situation created, but still warn of future unrest as Hizballah is not seen, but may return sooner than later.

The Associated Press has recently reported that farmers from Israel’s northern border are pleased with the new situation across the fence as they no longer need to take rifles when working their lands. Some farmers have even reported that they are now returning to orchards which have been abandoned since the Israel Defense Forces’ withdrawal from Lebanon in 2000.

“The war erased a threat we lived with for years,” a Metulla resident said. “We aren't afraid of snipers or kidnappings anymore. We can breathe.” Another woman said that “now, instead of Hizballah, we see the Lebanese army and the UN and we have a real sense of relief.”

But despite the renewed atmosphere in the north, the locals also seem to be wary of the situation, saying that Hizballah might not be seen in the area, but they are planning to come back.

“We don’t see the yellow Hizballah flags anymore, but they will be back,” said an apple farmer from Metulla.

This assessment does not only derive from the locals, but is shared by military specialists saying that Hizballah is in the process of rearming and re-fortifying themselves in anticipation of a renewed struggle with Israel in the coming future.

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